Career Clinic: What can I do to get my foot in the door?

You've done a couple of vacation placements and you are without a training contract? Can you see the problem? Hint: vacation placements are THE key method for law firms to hire new trainees.

Investment Banker -13 Aug 2009 | 12:59

Let your fingers do the walking

Do what I did when I left law school without a training contract. Get the Yellow Pages, go to the Solicitors' section and starting calling. I got a great position towards the end of the "Bs" and never looked back.

Jonathan Pearl -13 Aug 2009 | 16:54

Ah Investment Banker, rudely hilarious as ever!

Without being offensive, I would also say that a Commendation and a 2:1 are pretty par for the course for training contracts nowadays, so you will need to stand out in other areas. You haven't mentioned which type of law you are interested in, although of course that's difficult to work out prior to a training contract. My advice is try and try again with applications and placements, focusing on what is unique about you. Education credentials are a given. You must also ensure that you get full feedback after your placements indicating why you haven't been taken on. You might need to ask more than once for this as legal firm HR depts hate doing it!

I was offered a training contract without taking part in any vac schemes, so don't lose faith.

Inhouser -13 Aug 2009 | 16:56

Ignore Investment Banker - there are plenty of people (including myself) who complete vacation placements at firms which do not go onto become TCs - it is not a 100% certainty that if you complete a vacation placement that you will be offered a TC.

What I would suggest is still applying for the paralegal positions that state they require 6 months experience or more - you never know, because you are so good on paper, it may get you an interview and ultimately the job. Also, when applying for TCs or paralegal jobs, do a lot of speculative applications i.e. to firms who are not specifically recruiting. In the current climate, those who have been successful in getting jobs are those whose CV has landed on the right person's desk at the right time - plus it means you eliminate all the competition!

A word of caution though, if you have lived and studied in Manchester for many years, you may find it a struggle to find work in London as they may well question why you want to move. If you really want a paralegal position/TC then cast your net a bit wider - it's very competitive out there at the moment!

Hope this helps and good luck!

Vicky -13 Aug 2009 | 17:13

I don't know if this will help, but maybe you could work as support staff for a firm. I have got my assessment day for my firm which was a given since I have worked for them for a year. Maybe you could try that. I know it might seem beneath you, but it is one way of gaining contacts and you could transfer to another dept later on. This goes on a lot in my firm in Bristol.

Good luck!

Anonymous -13 Aug 2009 | 22:09

Headhunter

Keep on trying but don't get your hopes up, goes without saying that it's horribly competitive right now. Generally speaking the advice so far has been pretty good. You're not a standard candidate so make sure you're ready to answer potentially tough questions regarding things like why you want to move and your experience outside the law. Good luck.

Wynder K -14 Aug 2009 | 12:15

Whilst the market is obviously smaller, if you don't have a compelling reason to move to London now (other than "I just fancy it") it might be worth your while trying to get a training contract in Manchester. It's a very competitive market at the moment. In applying where you are (assuming you haven't already done so) you are at least removing one hurdle (the "why does he want to move"). You can qualify in Manchester and, depending on how the economy is looking, there is no reason you cannot move on qualification.

Anonymous -14 Aug 2009 | 18:09

I do also think Investment Banker is wrong - but not for the reasons some may assume. Basically, a lot of grad schemes are run by so called 'graduate recruitment people'. They, more often than not have boxes to tick and cannot/will not deviate. This means firms are, sadly, often looking for a stereotype, which you seem not to fit into. Do not let this put you down - it is not as if you are being judged by a partner or anyone who actually understands the profession.

In order to get around this, you need to get into a firm, as a paralegal and show your true strengths and weaknesses to those who matter - the partners. If they like you, they will make sure you get a TC.

Try applying speculatively to large firms for paralegal positions rather than small ones. Large ones will not generally want previous experience, they will just want a TC-hungry individual who they can effectively exploit because they are so keen for a TC. On the flipside, the exploitation cuts both ways - if you are good, over time you'll be rewarded with a TC! Good luck.

Anonymous -17 Aug 2009 | 14:20

Paralegal jobs are few and far between these days as redundant solicitors are taking these positions to ride out the recession. You should definitely do all you can to find a paralegal job as this is probably the best way to get a training contract, but if you need experience first how about volunteering at your local CAB or law clinic or doing some other pro-bono work? Roll on Friday have just published a recruitment survey saying that pro-bono work is the top thing that HR bods look for in graduate and PQE recruitment, and you should certainly learn some valuable skills by doing that. Alternatively, look for similar jobs where there is a legal element and you would have to manage a caseload e.g. insurance claims handlers, plot sales or conveyancing admin etc. Or try getting a job as a legal secretary/admin if your IT and typing skills are up to scratch. This is a foot in the door and you can then enquire about paralegal positions from within the firm.

Current Trainee -06 Sep 2009 | 19:15

Reading the various posts on this topic all seem to suggest to me that the problem has no solution.

Let's consider the problem carefully.

Essentially too many young people flock to the legal profession because of misguided ideas about their prospects and what the profession has to offer.

This ultimately leads to market saturation which in turn leads to reduced opportunity, wage deflation and poor working conditions.

Given that there does not seem to be any sign that demand from students is abating, the problem will only get worse.

Gavin Ramtohal -10 Sep 2009 | 21:28

Dye your hair blond. Everyone knows that blondes and a certain Nottingham law firm go together like salt and pepper.

Tom G -13 Oct 2009 | 16:20